Shrinking pool in Raucci jury pre-screening process

The parade of potential jurors marching into Acting Schenectady County Judge Polly Hoye’s chambers will continue this afternoon once the court proceedings resume. Those from the first group who appeared before her behind closed doors presumably were there to explain to her and attorneys involved with the case about potential conflicts and hardships that would prevent them from serving on the panel that will decide the fate of alleged serial arsonists Steven Raucci.
Specifically, Hoye instructed the group to consider if: they could serve for a month, believed they could not be fair or impartial, and if they or any family members have formerly or currently work for the Schenectady school district. Before the break, the field of prospective jurors had been narrowed down to about 18 people.
To pass the time, those individuals remaining in the public gallery read a book, made small talk among themselves, and even dozed off.
The 61-year-old Raucci is charged in a 26-count indictment that accuses him of vandalizing the homes and vehicles of several people who allegedly got on his bad side. Raucci, who was dressed today in a blue blazer, khaki pants and a white shirt and red tie, had also served as president of a local CSEA unit. He has denied the claims.
Hoye returned to the bench at 12:15 p.m. and said the screening process would continue for the rest of the day. She asked the 18 to follow up with a call later to the Commission of Jurors for additional instructions. ”You will be asked to come back for detailed questioning,” she added to those who made the cut. Hoye then swore in a second group to repeat the earlier weeding out process before breaking for lunch. The pre-screening for them resumes at 1:30 p.m. with another two more groups expected this afternoon for more of the same. Ronald DeAngelus is Raucci’s attorney and Robert Carney is prosecuting the case.

There has been far to much publicity on this case for this person to get a fair trial around here. At least I think so, but then again, what do I know.

But as for jury duty, if I am picked to serve, I will never willingly participate. It is not my duty as an American to be forced into underpaid servitude of the government. It is not my duty as an American to participate in this disguised draft of service to the government. Some call it a civic duty, I call it forced and legalized slavery. Let the clowns that actually want jury duty do it. I will have no part of it.

I don’t get why they don’t pick the first twelve that walk through the door. Picking the jurors that suit each side makes a mockery of what the jury is there for.
Aside from that, who can spare a month of their time while being locked out from the outside world? People who have to work for a living would have a tough time, same for those who have to take care of their children.